"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."
Philippians 4:8

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

We decided to have a pumpkin carving party this year. We carve pumpkins every year and decided we wanted to share the fun with friends! Oh- meet the new additions to our porch! I picked out the tall one-such personality, don't you think?

Here is a close up of the K-Man doing all he could NOT to touch the "yucky stuff"!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I know many of you love giving birthday parties for your children. I'm totally crazy about birthday parties too! I wanted to share some tips from the birthday party I just gave for my 2 year old boy.

With my parties I always start with a broad theme and then get creative. While I think pre-packaged parties can be the way to go...I tend to want to search around and make my own things or createactivities just to make it more one of a kind (and part of the fun for me is finding things cheap!) .

Little Bit is CRAZY about frogs (Hoppys)... there is my theme!

Then I found this frog fabric for $2 a yard at the old Wally World...

That was all I needed to get my brain spinning AND there were also my colors!

Here is the invitation I made with the computer (I didn't scan it very good). The computer and I have gotten very close over the last year or so! These are post cards...cheap to make and cheap to mail! I also made the favor tags using the computer. I found the favors here . I also got the little frogs for the "frog hunt" there.

I took that cute and cheap "hoppy" fabric and made this banner for the party. The other colors were only $1 a yard!!! I got the idea from Kelly . It was fun to make! I see more in my future!

This cake was a winner in my book! Little Bit LOVED it and it was so easy (and quick) to make!

2 boxed cake mixes

(follow directions for an 8 inch cake AND 24 cup cakes)

I used food coloring for the cake and cupcakes to match the theme colors

(a totally of two tubs of icing)

1 fruit roll-up for tongue

1 peel a part twizzler to mouth

2 oreos for eyes

Ta Da!

(Oh- I have to say the flies were tricky to find...but thanks to the K-man's keen eyes we found them at Good Will-24 for a dollar!!!)

Here is another look. I also made table cloths with the fabric for the indoor and outdoor tables.

I felt we had plenty of frogs with the balloons and fabric that I just got cheap-o colored plates, napkins and such...that matched the fabric.

Along with hunting for 72 little frogs outside we also played Pin the "Fly on the Frog's Tongue!"

I free-handed the frog using two pieces of poster board(it has been saved to be used in my mom's classroom). The flies were on my clip art...printed and cut out! The kids loved this game- HeeHee, the memories!

Then came my special touches just for Little Bit. I made his "Hoppy" shirt for his special day. You can find a tutorial here .

I also made him some PJs using the cheap fabric!

Finally, I recently mailed these Thank You post cards with a picture from the party. I added a personally note below the typed "thank you". I think the more I get to be creative the more I have with these special days! For more party ideas check out here .

Sunday, October 19, 2008

We are blessed to be in a country where we have the freedom to vote for our President. With this wonderful freedom comes responsibility. This election has personally been a roller coaster ride of emotions for me, because I do feel the strong responsibly to fight for the "goodness" and "honesty"of our nation. It is a tough world out there and without God as the priority of our nation the wickedness will abound. We live in a selfish nation with "Me" as a focus...We need God as our focus! I have watched every debate, listened to talk radio, and read anything I can get my hands on to try to find a comfort or a peace...BUT guess where I found it???

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." Romans 13:1

I have very strong opinions about each of the candidates that are running AND I will be placing my vote for the "team" that I feel is best for our nation. However, this passage along with the whole chapter of Romans 13 has granted me a peace and a strength for what the next four years have in store for our nation and my family (ie. what God has planned) I have read this chapter everyday for the last week and I will continue as the election moves forward.

About Me

I am happily married and have two wonderful children ("my boys"). I graduated from Texas A&M and have a Masters in Occupational Therapy. My greatest joy comes from the relationships I have with God, my family and my friends.

On My Heart

" This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

"...I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12

"There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to morn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace ans a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Forever Flamingo?

I am the Forever Flamingo...I moved a year ago this March (2008) to a VERY small country town from the BIG Houston, Texas! There I left a little piece of me with some wonderful girlfriends (the flamingos) . Though I am miles away we have friendships that defy the distance. I will always be the Forever Flamingo!